Public 'Positive Psychology' talks ended with great participation...

Positive Psychology Talks, which aim to achieve self-realization with mental well-being, happiness, hope, meaningful and purposeful life, ended after 8 weeks. Digital participation certificates were given to those who regularly participated in the Positive Psychology Talks organized by the Positive Psychology Research and Application Laboratory.

Prof. Tayfun Doğan stated that "Our laboratory is a first in Türkiye. Currently, research on positive psychology is carried out in our laboratory and experimental studies are carried out."

Participants of the Positive Psychology Talks also shared their feelings afterwards. "It has been an amazing 8 weeks. It was as if every piece of information I received was golden ", "I was extremely happy that such a valuable education was open to the public as well as universities", "It was an effective, useful and educative event. It would be nice if it was continued", "I hope it will set an example for the entire academic community".

Üsküdar University, which carries out important studies in the field of Positive Psychology in Türkiye and organizes congresses in this field, has successfully completed another study. The 8-week Positive Psychology Talks, organized by the Positive Psychology Research and Application Laboratory at Üsküdar University, have ended.

In the closing session of the Positive Psychology Talks, which was attended by everyone who is interested on a global scale, Department of Psychology Prof. Tayfun Doğan stated that the interviews held by Üsküdar University Positive Psychology Research and Application Laboratory, which is a first in Türkiye, lasted for 8 weeks.

Türkiye's first laboratory...

Prof. Tayfun Doğan expressed that "Our Positive Psychology Research and Application Laboratory is a first in Türkiye. Currently, research on positive psychology is carried out in our laboratory and experimental studies are carried out. Especially, we are doing an experimental study to increase hope. We also conduct scientific research on psychological resilience."

4,000 people registered for the seminars, which were open to everyone and lasted 90 minutes each. At the end of the seminars, which were free to attend, digital participation certificates were given to those who attended the classes regularly.

Prof. Tarhan: "Even our everyday communication language is unhealthy"

President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan noted that people's expectations are high in the modern age, and they do not know the value of what they have, and Tarhan expressed that "Even our everyday communication language is unhealthy. If there is tension in the top management of a country, company or institution, there is also tension at the base."

Seeking an answer to the question of why Positive Psychology, Prof. Tarhan stated that "We want to reflect Positive Psychology to the clinic. We have prepared 13 neuroscience-based modules. We will provide training of educators in the near future."

Stating that the goal is psychological well-being and psychological resilience, Prof. Tarhan noted that in the context of preventive medicine, it is aimed to protect psychological health and to maintain well-being after treatment.

What did the participants of the event say?

After 8 weeks, the feedback of the participants was remarkable. The participants shared the following views about the event: "The Positive Psychology Talks organized by Üsküdar University were extremely beneficial. These activities allowed me to learn more about the basic principles and practices of positive psychology, especially in areas such as stress management, happiness and self-compassion." "Positive Psychology Talks have made significant contributions to my personal and professional development. The scientific findings and practical strategies presented in the interviews both enriched my academic knowledge in a way that I could use in my courses and allowed me to apply this knowledge in my everyday life. It was a very useful seminar."

Housewives also participated...

Another participant stated that they expect such events to continue and expressed that "I had a wonderful 8 weeks. It was as if every piece of information I received was golden. I thank my professor’s effort and explanations. I am neither a psychology student nor have any competence in this field. Even a housewife like me was touched from so many different points. I cannot do it justice. I am glad our paths crossed with you, it was very useful, thank you very much."

There must be more...

Another participant expressed their views in writing and said that "It was a very useful event for me. I have had great realizations and, I wish there were more trainings like this more often. It was a very productive event. Our professor gave us very valuable information about Positive Psychology on the same day and time every week. Thank you very much. The interviews were very productive and useful. I enjoyed each session very much. It should definitely be continued."

It is very valuable that education is open to the public

In the last session, where the participants expressed their feelings, another participant stated that "I never understood how the eight-week seminar passed by. It was really efficient. It was very valuable for me to take a class from a professor. Thank you for your efforts... I am extremely happy that such a valuable education is open to the public as well as universities. I found the training content very valuable, detailed, with plenty of examples and up-to-date."

"It was good to learn that happiness is a conscious choice"

Another participated said that "It felt good to learn that happiness is a conscious choice. I no longer let others spoil my happiness. I realized where I stumbled while trying to realize my dreams and goals," and added that they would love to see a repeat of the Positive Psychology Talks.

Another participant said: "People who make themselves happy also spread happiness to their environment." and added that "It was an effective, useful and educative activity. It would be nice if it continues."

A participant thanked those who carried such a meaningful and valuable work beyond the boundaries of the academic world and said that they were looking forward to that such studies will continue.

"My perspective has changed"

One participant who expressed their views said that "My perspective has changed. My view of life, myself and what I was going through changed. At some points, I feel stronger. I realized that I was only putting the burden on myself for some of the issues that I was very upset about. I am freer and more comfortable in human relations. For these and many other reasons, I think the event was very useful and meaningful."

"I will follow up to see if there can be a repetition with different topics"

Another participant said that "First of all, I would like to thank Mr. Doğan and the team who contributed to the 8-week training in which important issues related to people were discussed. The fact that our teacher made their knowledge and experience accessible to the society without charging a fee made me feel very valuable as an individual. It has been a very good training to increase the awareness of people in our country. I will follow up to see if it can be repeated with different topics."

"I hope it will set an example for the entire academic community"

One participant expressed that "It was a very valuable and contributing process. I hope it will set an example for the entire academic community. From the beginning to the end, I would like to thank everyone who contributed and our esteemed professor. I am grateful.

You were magnificent, I benefited a lot, sometimes I listened to it with tears, sometimes you had teachings that I engraved in my mind. You have touched my life, sir."

A participant said that "It was an eye-opening and value-adding quality interview. My teacher opened new horizons. I have learned the scientific explanation of many experiences from my life that I have confronted myself. There were lessons where I realized that I was doing the right things, congratulated myself, and was proud of myself. I benefited in every sense. You have contributed a lot to me." and summarized their experiences during the 8-week interview.

"In a way, it served as free online therapy"

A participant expressed that "I think that with this event, which was organized for Positive Psychology to reach a wider audience, the society was benefited, and a successful job was done by transferring information that will contribute to the inner well-being of individuals. I think it served as free online therapy in a way. Perhaps it has made it easier in our lives by increasing the ability to think about some things that the majority know but cannot apply and to question themselves. They have also revealed that there are deeper meanings underneath what is known. I would like to express my gratitude for such an event in the presence of the community."

 

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)